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Council & Democracy
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Constitution

Our Constitution sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

The Constitution is divided into 16 articles which set out the basic rules governing the council's business. More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in separate rules and protocols set out in Section 5.

View the Constitution [PDF, 1.5MB] [PDF, 3.5MB]

Decision-making structure

We operate an 'Executive Leader and Cabinet' model of decision-making. Under this model, the executive leader, appoints their own deputy executive leader and cabinet, which comprises seven other councillors.

The council has a range of non-executive decisions that need to be taken, for example, determining planning and licensing applications. These decisions are delegated to the Development Management Committee, Licensing, and Protection Committee and the Licensing Committee 

View information on councillors.

Cabinet

All cabinet members are members of the Joint Administration. The executive leader chairs meetings of the cabinet which usually meets on the third or fourth Tuesday of every month (except in August). They start at 7pm in the Civic Suite at Pathfinder House. These meetings are open to the public. The agenda, reports and minutes are also publicly available on ModernGov.

Each member of the cabinet has responsibility for a number of council services. 

The cabinet takes most day-to-day decisions in line with the policy and strategic framework approved by the council. Part 3 of the Constitution [PDF, 1.5MB] [PDF, 1.5MB] describes which decisions can be taken by the cabinet and which can be delegated to council officers.

We publish a Notice of Key Executive Decisions each month. This contains a list of significant or key decisions expected to be taken by the cabinet in the future. These decisions often relate to matters which are likely to incur significant expenditure, result in significant savings or affect those living and working in two or more wards. It also details forthcoming decisions that are expected to be taken in private.

Council

All councillors meet as ‘full council’ five times a year. These meetings are open to the public. The full council is responsible for the policy and strategic framework. It agrees the budget and Council Tax, elects the executive leader and appoints the managing director and other members to the council's committees and other panels.

View council agendas and minutes

Overview and scrutiny

Overview and Scrutiny Panels aim to improve the council’s performance by monitoring, questioning and making recommendations on the way services are provided and decisions are taken.

There are two panels, each of which is made up of 12 council members.

The panels have an important role in the executive decision-making by holding the cabinet to account. This involves ensuring that decisions taken by the cabinet are appropriate and within the council’s policy and financial framework.

If any three members of a relevant panel feel that a decision is inappropriate or contrary to policy or the budget, they can “call the decision in”. This must be done within five days of the decision being made to prevent it from being implemented. They will then discuss the matter formally with the relevant cabinet member and officer and, if necessary, make recommendations to the decision-maker to reconsider or amend their decision.

The panels also carry out detailed, evidence-based assessments of council services or wider issues that affect the lives of local people. At the end of each study, a panel will report with recommendations as to how things could be improved. Much of their work involves the detailed examination of key council plans and policies, both before and after they have been approved.

View panel agendas and minutes

Other committees and panels

The council has a range of non-executive decisions that need to be taken, for example, determining planning and licensing applications. These decisions are delegated to the Development Management Committee and the Licensing Committee.

The council has also established a Corporate Governance Committee which oversees governance arrangements and the standards of conduct of members. The Committee publishes an annual report [PDF, 85Kb] [PDF, 85KB].

View all committees

View committee structure

Public attendance

Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of Huntingdonshire District Council which are held in the Civic Suite at Pathfinder House unless indicated on the meeting agenda.

The council permits public speaking at the Development Management Committee (planning) meetings.

View further information about public speaking at Development Management Committees [PDF, 0.5MB]

The council permits public questions at full council meetings. View further information about submitting a question [PDF, 0.2MB] [PDF, 0.1MB].

We permit filming, recording and the taking of photographs in meetings that are open to the public. Arrangements for these activities should operate in accordance with the following guidelines:

Filming, Photography, and Recording at Council Meetings [PDF, 56Kb] [PDF, 56KB]

If you would like a translation of agenda/minutes/reports or a large text or audio version, please contact us and we will try to accommodate your needs.